Living in Plainfield, New Jersey
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Plainfield · Census data 2020–2024
Plainfield has 55,236 residents with a median age of 32.4. The median household income is $85,908 (17% lower than the New Jersey median), the median home value is $410,800, the median rent is $1,767/month.
Plainfield at a glance
- Population
- 55,236
- Median age
- 32.4State: 40.1
- Median household income
- $85,908State: $103,556
- Median home value
- $410,800State: $454,400
- Median rent
- $1,767/moState: $1,720
- Homeowners
- 44.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Plainfield a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 8.9%; a poverty rate of 15.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Plainfield
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Plainfield the median home value is $410,800, 23% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,767 per month, which is 32.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,689 a month in housing costs.
Plainfield median household income
The median household income in Plainfield is $85,908 and the income per person is $30,960. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line (New Jersey: 9.7%).
Housing in Plainfield: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,712
- Owner-occupied
- 44.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 55.2%
- Vacant
- 4.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1952
- Average household size
- 3.41
Plainfield demographics
- Population
- 55,236
- Median age
- 32.4
- Under 18
- 28.9%
- 65 and older
- 10.1%
- Households
- 15,907
- Foreign-born
- 41.9%
- Veterans
- 2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Plainfield ›
Education in Plainfield
22% of adults 25 and older in Plainfield have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Jersey: 43.6%), and 7.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Plainfield
- Unemployment rate
- 8.9%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 6.8%
- Drive alone
- 58%
- Public transit
- 5.2%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 95%
Plainfield vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield | 55,236 | $85,908 | $410,800 | $1,767 |
| North Plainfield | 22,809 | $87,349 | $374,700 | $1,752 |
| Watchung | 6,485 | $173,672 | $882,500 | $2,738 |
| Fanwood | 7,799 | $195,529 | $635,200 | $2,446 |
| Scotch Plains | 24,843 | $183,655 | $718,200 | $2,060 |
| South Plainfield | 24,473 | $130,239 | $470,900 | $2,107 |
| Dunellen | 7,911 | $86,967 | $393,500 | $1,835 |
| Green Brook | 7,028 | $208,375 | $538,500 | $2,115 |
| Berkeley Heights | 13,426 | $204,658 | $789,400 | $2,203 |
More for people moving to Plainfield
Plainfield ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Plainfield: FAQ
What is the median household income in Plainfield, NJ?
The median household income in Plainfield is $85,908, 17% lower than the New Jersey median of $103,556 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Plainfield?
The median home value in Plainfield is $410,800, compared with $454,400 in New Jersey.
How much is rent in Plainfield?
The median gross rent in Plainfield is $1,767 per month, about 32.4% of household income.
Is Plainfield, NJ a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 8.9%; a poverty rate of 15.5%.
What is the median age in Plainfield?
The median age in Plainfield is 32.4 years (New Jersey: 40.1).
How long is the commute in Plainfield?
The average commute to work in Plainfield is 30 minutes; 6.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Plainfield?
The unemployment rate in Plainfield is 8.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Plainfield?
22% of adults in Plainfield have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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